Get to know your Vulcans: Meghan Franz

Interviewed by Joshua Laska – Sports/Managing Editor

Was it hard coming to Cal and immediately becoming a starter?

Absolutely! Just like any other team, you are never guaranteed playing time (let alone a starting position), so I had to work harder than I ever had before to earn my spot. Probably the hardest part was learning how to adjust to playing at the collegiate level.

What was it like playing in the NCAA quarterfinals game?

Playing in the NCAA quarterfinals game my freshman year was one of my most amazing memories of my volleyball career. It was a great feeling being able to look around and realize that only the best of the best were able to make it that far, and we were one of the few lucky teams. The game itself was intense because both teams were fighting their hardest to move on to the next round. Even though we weren’t fortunate enough to move on to the next round, we fought our hardest and left with our heads held high.

How hard was it to adjust to college play?

Adjusting to college play was difficult and a little bit overwhelming. Collegiate play is a far more intense, fast-paced, physically draining game. It took a lot of time and practice learning not only how to play at the collegiate level, but also learning how to play and connect with an entirely new group of girl. Luckily I was (and still am) fortunate enough to have teammates to depend on. My teammates really helped me to make the adjustment from high school and club volleyball to college volleyball.

What was the hardest thing to learn at the college level?

I would say that the hardest thing to adjust to was the pace of the game. College volleyball is a much faster game than in high school or club. As a middle hitter I have a lot of responsibility to be fast and efficient. Therefore, it was difficult as a middle hitter to get used to blocking and attacking a much faster offense. It took a lot of practice to get used to the pace, and it is something that I still am continuing to work on as a player.

How do you stay “in the game” during the offseason?

Our team is very committed to maintaining the standards of Cal Volleyball, and this includes working hard to stay fit during our offseason. Our main season is in the fall, so when the springtime comes, we turn our focus to improving ourselves as individuals and as a team. We focus a lot on working on our fundamentals and skills during the spring practices, and have the opportunity to apply this practice in a few spring tournaments. We owe the majority of our physical progress during the offseason to our strength and conditioning staff. Bobby Sepesy and his staff work with our team nearly every day to assure that we are physically the best that we can possibly be. We would never be able to make the progress that we make without our 6 a.m. workouts and our afternoon lifting sessions. Overall, I would say that we have a team of very motivated and focused girls. Even though we may not be in season, we still are striving to get better each and every day.

What originally got you into volleyball?

To be honest, I played soccer through my elementary and middle school years. During middle school, my gym teacher said “Hey Meghan, you’re tall…you should try out for volleyball!” So I followed my teacher’s advice. I played soccer and volleyball in middle school, but when I got to high school I had to choose between the two because the two seasons conflicted. After a lot of thought I chose volleyball and never looked back!

How many years have you played volleyball?

I started playing in seventh grade, so I have been playing for almost 9 years now.

What is one interesting fact that not everyone would know about you?

I can only think of two: 1.) I absolutely hate when people crack their knuckles…the sound drives me nuts! 2.) Before each game I like to write one inspirational word on my hand in pen. It keeps me focused and is something to do when I get bored.

Where are you from and where did you go to High School?

I am from Cranberry Township, PA, which is about 20 minutes north of Pittsburgh. I was a Raider at Seneca Valley High School.

What do you plan on doing after college?

I am a Biology & Secondary Education major, so after graduating high school I hope to get a job teaching high school Biology in the area. I would also really love to coach high school volleyball!

What is your favorite tv show?

Pretty Little Liars!

Who are your favorite sports teams?

Steelers, Penguins, Pirates…..I am a Pittsburgh sports FANATIC!!

What is your favorite food?

Hmm, it’s hard to pick just one food. I love pizza and ice cream, and I have recently become obsessed with Nutella!

What is your favorite movie?

The Hangover, Dodegeball, Anchorman (anything Will Ferrell), Pirates of the Caribbean

Do you have a favorite quote?

“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.”-Mahatma Gandhi